What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is defined as intentional actions that cause harm or create a risk of personal or financial harm to a senior by a person who is in a position of trust.

By 2050, people age 65 and older are expected to be 20% of the total U.S. population. The fastest growing segment of our population consists of people 85 or older. Seniors are the favorite target of con artists, family members, and other predators because more than half of the financial assets in America are owned by seniors.

Research indicates that people with dementia are at a greater risk of elder abuse. It is estimated that 5.1 million seniors over the age of 65 have some kind of dementia. Seniors are reluctant to report abuse for a number of reasons. It may be a fear of retaliation or a lack of physical or mental capacity. They may feel a personal connection to the abuser creating a desire to keep the abuser out of trouble. Family members are often the abusers. They may have drug or alcohol issues or suffer from mental / emotional illness. family members may simply feel overwhelmed with caregiver responsibilities leading to frustration and abuse.